Public Service Coordinator

General Summary:

The Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management in the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston is dedicated to improving efficiency, effectiveness, governance, and accountability at all levels of government, with a particular focus on local and state government. Since its establishment at UMass Boston by the Commonwealth in 2008, the Center has provided a comprehensive set of services to hundreds of the Commonwealth’s cities, towns, school districts, and state agencies, as well as to a growing number of municipalities in other states. The Center’s work is guided by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 75, Section 45, which provides the Center’s formal mission.

Reporting to a Public Services Manager, the Public Services Coordinator will coordinate the work on projects in one or more of the practice areas within the Center. This includes client relations; data gathering and analysis; report writing and editing; and working with assigned teams or independently based on project needs.

The Public Services Coordinator may be assigned to work on research, grant-writing, or other assignments as workload demands.

Examples of Duties:

• Work directly with a portfolio of municipalities and other Center clients to provide professional and technical assistance;

• Coordinate project logistics, resources, and workflow;

• Provide for meeting facilitation and planning;

• Engage in data-gathering and analyses of data, both qualitative and quantitative;

• Contribute to the evaluation of the effectiveness, efficiency, performance or accountability of subject governmental agencies and/or programs through data analysis, interviews, best practices research and other activities;

• Use research and analysis performed, drafting recommendations and documents;

• Edit reports and perform quality control of deliverables;

• Collaborate with Collins Center staff on internal Center-wide initiatives;

• Coordinate with the Director of Operations to complete contract management and invoicing processes;

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Public Affairs, City and/or Regional Planning, Business Administration, or a related field and a minimum of two to four (2 – 4) years of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience required. Some examples of relevant work experience would include: managing complex projects involving multiple parties; working with public sector entities on complex projects; analyzing data and producing reports for public entities. A high degree of proficiency with standard software packages, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office tools required. Ability to travel throughout the Commonwealth required. Ability to work flexible hours, including evening work required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Consulting experience

• Subject matter expertise in public sector service delivery areas (e.g., public safety, economic development, finance, public works, education, etc.);

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Familiarity with government operational, budgetary, legal and political environments;

• Ability to conceptualize, organize and negotiate project tasks and direct collaborators from outside the institution, including state agency personnel, partnering research organizations, advocacy groups and other entities as specific to a project;

• Ability to present information and findings in a cogent fashion to a wide variety of audiences;

• Ability to foster a positive and cooperative workplace;

• Ability to work with a diverse workforce;

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and resolve difficult interpersonal and inter-organizational conflicts;

• Ability to negotiate complex social and political environments, such as partnerships with public entities;

• Ability to adapt and customize work plans in order to ensure progress;

• Ability to problem solve, set goals and objectives and plan, manage and implement deliverables;

• Ability to work independently with multiple clients and/or on multiple projects;

• Skill in facilitating meetings with diverse stakeholders regarding complex topics;

• Strong oral and written communication skills;

• Strong problem solving skills;

• Strong collaboration, facilitation and negotiation skills;

• Strong project coordination skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously;

• Excellent interpersonal and team building skills;

• Strong commitment to customer service.